Porsche 911 Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Porsche 911 passes its MOT first time on 87.0% of tests, 17.1 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (69.9%). That puts it ahead of 100% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2007 911 does best (beats 100% of cars) and the 2002 worst (beats 99%).

Of its engines, the 3.8 Petrol does best (beats 100%) and the 3.4 Petrol worst (beats 99%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, tyres, brakes.

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Porsche 911Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 96%

Beats 95%

Beats 90%

Beats 95%

Beats 97%

Beats 98%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 100%

Beats 99%

Beats 98%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 99%

Beats 98%

Beats 90%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	1989–2011	152,125	84.2%	Beats 100%	A
3.8 Petrol	2004–2018	134,674	89.3%	Beats 100%	A
3.0 Petrol	1982–2023	50,924	94.1%	Beats 99%	A
3.4 Petrol	1998–2015	42,761	81.4%	Beats 99%	A
3.2 Petrol	1984–1989	13,831	81.7%	Beats 97%	A
4.0 Petrol	2016–2018	6,194	95.7%	Beats 99%	A
3.7 Petrol	2021–2021	1,039	96.2%	Beats 100%	A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Exhaust: 2.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

5.4% vs 12.9%

Tyres

2.7% vs 4.9%

Brakes

2.2% vs 8.0%

Emissions & leaks

2.0% vs 4.0%

Suspension

1.8% vs 9.7%

Body & structure

1.6% vs 5.0%

Visibility

1.5% vs 5.7%

Steering

0.5% vs 2.1%

Seat belts & airbags

0.3% vs 1.6%

Wheels

0.1% vs 0.2%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
Sidelights
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Tyre tread depth
Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
Windscreen washers
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Porsche 911Typical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Headlight aim	2.0%	3.6%	0.5×
Tyre damage & cracking	1.7%	2.9%	0.6×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)	1.4%	1.7%	0.8×
Sidelights	1.1%	2.8%	0.4×
Drive shaft (CV) joints	1.0%	1.6%	0.6×
Brake pipes	0.9%	1.4%	0.6×
Tyre tread depth	0.9%	1.7%	0.5×
Windscreen washers	0.8%	2.5%	0.3×
Windscreen wipers	0.7%	2.9%	0.2×
Headlight bulbs & units	0.6%	2.4%	0.3×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	19.7
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer	10.9
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	9.9
A tyre seriously damaged	9.4
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	8.7
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	8.6
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	7.9
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded	7.4

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Porsche 9111 engine94.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Petrol	1,215	94.9%	Beats 90%	A

2022 Porsche 9111 engine95.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Petrol	3,094	95.7%	Beats 98%	A

2021 Porsche 9112 engines95.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Petrol	3,104	95.8%	Beats 99%	A
3.7 Petrol	1,039	96.2%	Beats 100%	A

2020 Porsche 9111 engine95.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Petrol	4,921	95.2%	Beats 99%	A

2019 Porsche 9111 engine94.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Petrol	10,522	94.6%	Beats 99%	A

2018 Porsche 9113 engines94.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Petrol	8,676	93.6%	Beats 98%	A
4.0 Petrol	2,711	95.4%	Beats 99%	A
3.8 Petrol	1,626	94.4%	Beats 98%	A

2017 Porsche 9113 engines94.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Petrol	9,489	94.1%	Beats 99%	A
3.8 Petrol	1,825	94.3%	Beats 99%	A
4.0 Petrol	1,626	95.9%	Beats 100%	A

2016 Porsche 9113 engines94.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Petrol	8,665	94.3%	Beats 100%	A
3.8 Petrol	2,870	95.2%	Beats 100%	A
4.0 Petrol	1,857	96.1%	Beats 100%	A

2015 Porsche 9112 engines94.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.8 Petrol	11,640	94.4%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	2,209	93.6%	Beats 100%	A

2014 Porsche 9112 engines93.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.8 Petrol	11,896	94.0%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	2,041	93.2%	Beats 100%	A

2013 Porsche 9112 engines93.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.8 Petrol	8,822	93.5%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	2,428	93.0%	Beats 100%	A

2012 Porsche 9112 engines91.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.8 Petrol	10,662	91.9%	Beats 100%	A
3.4 Petrol	2,876	91.2%	Beats 100%	A

2011 Porsche 9112 engines91.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.8 Petrol	8,581	91.8%	Beats 100%	A
3.6 Petrol	2,654	91.1%	Beats 100%	A

2010 Porsche 9112 engines90.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.8 Petrol	9,207	90.4%	Beats 100%	A
3.6 Petrol	6,208	90.3%	Beats 100%	A

2009 Porsche 9112 engines88.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.8 Petrol	7,595	88.2%	Beats 100%	A
3.6 Petrol	5,373	89.6%	Beats 100%	A

2008 Porsche 9112 engines87.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.8 Petrol	8,349	87.1%	Beats 100%	A
3.6 Petrol	8,262	88.7%	Beats 100%	A

2007 Porsche 9112 engines87.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.8 Petrol	12,772	85.7%	Beats 100%	A
3.6 Petrol	9,118	89.2%	Beats 100%	A

2006 Porsche 9112 engines84.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.8 Petrol	17,848	84.3%	Beats 100%	A
3.6 Petrol	7,304	86.1%	Beats 100%	A

2005 Porsche 9112 engines84.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.8 Petrol	17,103	85.3%	Beats 100%	A
3.6 Petrol	7,835	83.9%	Beats 100%	A

2004 Porsche 9112 engines82.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	17,084	82.4%	Beats 100%	A
3.8 Petrol	3,878	83.7%	Beats 100%	A

2003 Porsche 9111 engine80.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	22,317	80.1%	Beats 99%	A

2002 Porsche 9111 engine79.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	20,836	79.7%	Beats 99%	A

2001 Porsche 9112 engines79.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.4 Petrol	8,018	78.7%	Beats 99%	A
3.6 Petrol	5,595	80.3%	Beats 99%	A

2000 Porsche 9112 engines79.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.4 Petrol	6,992	78.3%	Beats 99%	A
3.6 Petrol	1,183	84.2%	Beats 100%	A

1999 Porsche 9111 engine77.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.4 Petrol	10,181	77.9%	Beats 99%	A

1998 Porsche 9112 engines79.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.4 Petrol	8,016	78.2%	Beats 99%	A
3.6 Petrol	1,261	86.8%	Beats 100%	A

1997 Porsche 9111 engine86.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	6,063	86.4%	Beats 100%	A

1996 Porsche 9111 engine87.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	8,186	87.4%	Beats 100%	A

1995 Porsche 9111 engine85.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	5,095	85.6%	Beats 100%	A

1994 Porsche 9111 engine84.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	4,538	84.9%	Beats 100%	A

1993 Porsche 9111 engine84.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	2,197	84.9%	Beats 100%	A

1992 Porsche 9111 engine85.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	1,732	85.1%	Beats 100%	A

1991 Porsche 9111 engine83.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	2,140	83.2%	Beats 99%	A

1990 Porsche 9111 engine84.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.6 Petrol	5,884	84.9%	Beats 99%	A

1989 Porsche 9112 engines83.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.2 Petrol	2,574	84.7%	Beats 99%	A
3.6 Petrol	1,260	81.6%	Beats 98%	A

1988 Porsche 9111 engine82.5% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.2 Petrol	2,634	82.5%	Beats 98%	A

1987 Porsche 9111 engine81.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.2 Petrol	2,691	81.6%	Beats 97%	A

1986 Porsche 9111 engine80.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.2 Petrol	2,481	80.6%	Beats 95%	A

1985 Porsche 9111 engine78.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.2 Petrol	1,901	78.6%	Beats 90%	A

1984 Porsche 9111 engine80.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.2 Petrol	1,550	80.9%	Beats 95%	A

1982 Porsche 9111 engine81.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
3.0 Petrol	1,238	81.7%	Beats 96%	A

FAQ

What is the Porsche 911 MOT pass rate?

87.0% of MOT tests on the Porsche 911 were passed first time, based on 401,548 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1982–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 69.9% of the time.

Is the Porsche 911 reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 100% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Porsche 911 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2007 911 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 2002 does worst: it beats 99%.

Which Porsche 911 engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.8 Petrol does best: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 3.4 Petrol does worst: it beats 99%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Porsche 911?

The most common failure items are headlight aim, tyre damage & cracking, exhaust emissions (catalyst).

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Porsche 911 reliability

Verdict

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ